Albertans recognized for making communities better places for persons with developmental disabilities - Wednesday, Oct 07, 2009

October 7, 2009 Albertans recognized for making communities better places for persons with developmental disabilities Edmonton... Six Albertans have been honoured for promoting the meaningful participation of people with developmental disabilities in Alberta communities. The Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Provincial Community Leadership Awards were presented in five categories at a special ceremony in Edmonton on October 7, 2009. “I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to meet all the nominees and recognize them in person for the difference they make in the lives of persons with developmental disabilities across the province,” said Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. “The work these Albertans have done to make our communities more inclusive is truly inspiring, and is a great example of the improvements that can be made by individual Albertans.” Forty-two individuals and organizations were nominated for the five awards. This year’s PDD Provincial Community Leadership Award recipients are: Theresa Mokry of Camrose (Norm McLeod Self-Advocacy Award); Tanya Ponich of Edmonton and Leonard Newton of Lethbridge (tie for Individual Leadership Award); Bonny Greenshields of Lethbridge (Community Citizenship Award); Studio C of Calgary (Community Disability Service Sector Leadership Award); and Jim, Diane and Jodi Reid of Calgary and Edmonton (Family Leadership Award). More information on the awards is available at www.seniors.alberta.ca/awards or by calling the PDD program at 780-427-1177. To call toll-free in Alberta, first dial 310-0000. 2009 Recipients Norm McLeod Self-Advocacy Award Theresa Mokry - Camrose For the past three-and-a-half years, Theresa has presented to students in schools across East Central Alberta. She has helped open the eyes of children and adults alike to see that no matter what a person looks like, or how they speak, they all have unique abilities to contribute to the community. Individual Leadership Award Leonard Newton - Lethbridge Leonard has led the way for communities to see and value people with disabilities and is passionate and clear with his message that “all people are people.” Leonard is committed to ensuring all children can be part of community schools, and worked to help the Lethbridge community understand the value of integrated education. Tanya Ponich - Edmonton Tanya has made presentations for the past several years to a variety of audiences, such as the CFB Military Family Resource Centre, to raise awareness of the potential of people with intellectual disabilities. Tanya was also selected as Global Edmonton’s “Woman of Vision” in 2008. She is an active volunteer in the Edmonton community and is a true champion of the abilities that all people possess. Community Citizenship Award Bonny Greenshields - Lethbridge Bonny is dedicated to providing community opportunities for people with disabilities and is actively involved in helping people to be a valued part of their community. As the owner of the Round Street Café in Lethbridge, she provides excellent employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Community Disability Service Sector Leadership Award Studio C - Calgary Studio C is an integrated community art and resource centre in downtown Calgary that provides opportunities for artists with and without disabilities to collaborate and learn together under a common interest, talent and passion. This innovative approach has improved services to adults with disabilities by exemplifying the benefits of shifting from site-based services to services that are centralized in the heart of the community. Family Leadership Award Jim, Diane and Jodi Reid - Calgary and Edmonton Jim and Diane Reid are parents from Calgary who are dedicated volunteers with the Alberta Association for Community Living and the Canadian Association for Williams Syndrome. They are also committed to influencing the attitudes of community members towards adults with developmental disabilities through their work with Calgary Family Voices, a network of families committed to creating inclusive community lives. Together with their 33-year-old daughter, Jodi, the family presented at the 4th Annual National Family Conference in Ottawa this summer on topics of inclusive living and “Building the Dream.” Media inquiries may be directed to: Cheryl Chichak, Communications Seniors and Community Supports 780-415-9950 cheryl.chichak@gov.ab.ca